2025 March Madness South Region Analysis: Is Auburn University in Crisis? Live information on March 17, 2025 at 8:15 am PDT

Hi, guys! Welcome to the 2025 March Madness South Zone Live Tips! Today is March 17th, Monday, 8:15 PDT time. Here are the updated details of the NCAA tournament bracket revealed on "Selection Sunday" yesterday. The South Zone has turned into a battleground, with first-seeded Auburn University facing questions from ESPN analyst Jeff Borzello on its way to the Final Four. Presented here are the analysis, predictions and major battles for its 2025 NCAA tournament bracket.

 printable march madness bracket

The south-zone divide: Auburn University's impassable road

Auburn is the No. 1 seed in the South Zone, indicating their very strong regular season. Wooden Award candidate Johnny Broome (18.6 PPG, 10.6 RPG) has a balanced team under Bruce Pearl. However, that does not have to be the top seed attraction-their cell is a bit of a headache. Observers in forums like X (Twitter) also expect a very early exit from Auburn University. The reasons are as follows:

• Fierce 8/9 Battle: Auburn will face off in the second round of 8Main Louisville (Louisville) and 9Main Creighton (Creighton). Louisville's comeback and Creighton's shooting are terrifying for the top seed. According to Borzello, Creighton will defeat Louisville 78-74 and fight Auburn closer 82-79.
  
  

• University of Michigan's "Cinderella" prospect: Michigan from 5MB, the Big Ten Tournament champion, will compete in the first round with 12Main UC San Diego (UC San Diego). UCSD's high-octane offense targets Michigan's inconsistencies, but Borzello believes Michigan will win 71-68. Their defensive grit, then, will test Auburn's depth in the Sweet 16.

• Texas A&M's hidden fright: 4mb seed Texas A&M, who defeated Auburn with limited groups, has a straightforward route in the Elite Eight. With a nation-leading offensive rebounding percentage, these men are ready to defeat Auburn in the rematch. According to Borzello, A&M will reach the Elite 8 after defeating 13th-seeded Yale, 75-62, and 5th-seeded Michigan, 68-64.

• Sleeping terrors: The strangling defense of 3rd seed Iowa State, and the performance of 6th seed Marquette's explosive guards (headed by Kam Jones) induce further terrors. In Borzello's view, Marquette will defeat Iowa State 77-73 in the Sweet 16, which would result in a matchup with Auburn.

Borzello Opinion Prediction: Auburn will beat Creighton and fall to Texas A&M 72-69 in the Elite 8, shattering their national championship dream ahead of San Antonio. The crown of the South region will go to Texas A&M.

Summary of Selection Sunday: Important events in cell disclosure

The 2025 NCAA tournament bracket was revealed last night, March 16, on CBS at 6:00 PM ET. The women's cell appeared on ESPN at 8:00 PM ET. 68 groups of men—31 auto-bids and 37 at-large selections—formed. The South Zone, which will host the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 in Atlanta, is prime for analysis today. Printable brackets for the 2025 March Madness bracket are available on NCAA.com, ESPN, CBS Sports and more!

Key seeds of the South:

• 1st Auburn vs. 16th Alabama State/St.

• 2nd Michigan State vs 15th McNeese State

• 3rd Iowa State vs. 14th Lipscomb

• 4th Texas A&M vs. 13th Yale

Left out of final selection (based on ESPN Bracketology): Wake Forest, SMU, Georgia, Texas. North Carolina's argument from the 11mb victory, but the committee held firm.

All 31 team tournaments: Auto-entry rights established

On March 16, 31 team games concluded. The self-inclusion rights champions in South Zone are—

• SEC: Auburn (regular season), but Texas A&M entered last.

• Big Ten: Michigan beat Wisconsin 44-41 in a defensive slugfest.

• Big South: Lipscomb beat UNC Asheville 79-74.

• Southland: McNeese State beat Nicholls State 92-76.

When does March Madness begin?

First Four starts March 18 in Dayton, Ohio. First-round games will commence March 20 in eight cities. South-zone games will be hosted in Tulsa and Birmingham. NCAA Tournament tickets can be bought through Ticketmaster.

Where can it be watched?

All games will be broadcast on TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV. For streaming, NCAA March Madness Live, Paramount+ and Max will be utilized. Selection Sunday replays will also be accessible via CBS Sports HQ and ESPN.

Why is Auburn on the brink—and why will it take home the win?

Auburn's resume looks like a strong contender: six wins with top-15 groups in the KenPom poll, an outstanding offense and defense in the Synergy Sports poll, and a 10-man group with seniors like Chad Baker-Mazara. But 4-3 defeats in the final season and losing the last two games revealed weaknesses. South-field depth—contingent groups like UC San Diego, Marquette, and Michigan—should target these weaknesses. The X-forums opined: "Auburn's road is terrible. Michigan State or A&M should fire them quickly."

But the Bruce Pearl team won't be disappointed. If Broome controls the midfield (paint) and Tahaad Pettiford (Tahaad Pettiford, 39% from three-pointers) continues to sizzle, Auburn will quiet the skeptics and make it to the Final Four in San Antonio.

Make that soon: printable cells and soon

Download the 2025 NCAA Printable Bracket on ESPN, CBS Sports, NCAA.com and more now! Women's Selection Sunday will be tonight at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN. Be alert at the start of the First Four for advanced information!

What's your opinion on Auburn's chances? Write your March Madness 

2025 cell predictions below, and join the conversation!